Defining Ethics- Prompt 2

By: Nash Roberts

       Like any other profession, engineering has a code of ethics that every engineer must live by in order to maintain a respectable reputation. These ethics are broken into three parts, Fundamental canons, rules of practice, and professions obligations.
       The first fundamental canon says that an engineer must hold paramount the safety health and welfare of the public.This means that an engineer should always consider the public first, as an individual I do not think that this is as important to me, this might sound selfish but i usually put my own health and welfare before others. However when building something that will be used by the public it only makes sense that one puts their health, safety, and welfare into consideration. The next canon states that one should only perform services in areas of competence. This just means that you stick to what you know. This is much more applicable to my life because I have never found it acceptable to act like you know what you are doing if you might be putting people in danger. The third canon says that an engineer should always issue public statement in an objective and truthful manner. As a first year engineering student i have not issued any statements yet but the core value of this canon which is always tell the truth is a core value of who i am. Another canon states that an engineer should act for each employer of client as a faithful agent. This applies to my life in the form of loyalty. Keeping my word is one of my most valued ethics and to do this i must be loyal. Avoid deceptive acts is the next canon and the most simple one. Basically just do not lie, this should apply to everyone's life including my own. The sixth and final fundamental canon says that an engineer should conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically and lawfully so as to enhance the honor reputation and usefulness of the profession. I feel that everyone should strive  to conduct themselves in these ways and i know that i try my best to be honorable responsible and ethical at all times. this is why i hope and think that following these rules of ethics should not be that hard because i have unknowingly been following or at least trying to follow them my whole life.

"Code of Ethics." Code of Ethics | National Society of Professional Engineers. National Society of Professional Engineers, June-July 2007. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.